MEET THE BOARD
BEN BAKER | PRESIDENT
Benjamin Baker is currently an assistant project manager with Walsh Group on Los Angeles County Metro's Crenshaw/LAX rail transit project. In the past he has also worked as a project engineer in the civil division at KPFF Consulting Engineers, as an intern at the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering (Bridge Improvement Division), and as a utilities engineer in the Rail Transit and Crossings Branch at the California Public Utilities Commission. He has a Master's of Science in Civil Engineering and Project Management from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor's of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA. He has been involved with ASCE since 2006, including as a former officer and project manager for the UCLA student chapter.
CHRIS BOSWELL | PAST-PRESIDENT
Chris Boswell is a Civil Engineer at Sherwood Design Engineers providing site civil support on a variety of project types . He has a Bachelor's in Business Management Economics from UC Santa Cruz and a Bachelor's and Master's from UC Berkeley in Civil Engineering. His passion for nature, sustainability and simple solutions to complex problems drew him to Sherwood where he is able to take a holistic approach and provide a sustainable and resilient design.
PAUL LEE | PRESIDENT-ELECT
Paul is an Energy Policy Analyst with the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Sustainability. His work entails coordinating renewable projects city wide, tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and engaging in climate action policies across a global network. He has his Bachelor’s from UCLA and Master’s from UC Berkeley in Civil Engineering. He's now pursing his Master's in Public Administration from USC. Paul is a sustainable infrastructure and climate advocate.
KAITLIN HANNON | VICE PRESIDENT
Kaitlin Hannon is a Civil Engineer with the County of Los Angeles Public Works currently focusing on Equity in Infrastructure. Prior to her time on the Equity Team, Kaitlin worked in the water/environmental sector for over 10 years, starting with Kenneth/Jenks Consultants in 2010 and moved to Los Angeles County in 2013, with a brief period at URS in between. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineer from Syracuse University and her Masters in Public Administration from California State University at Northridge. She has held many positions with ASCE LA YMF and enjoys now serving on the MLAB Board. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, cooking, hiking, and exploring LA.
MATTHEW JACOBSON | TREASURER
Matthew Jacobson, EIT, ENV SP, A.M.ASCE is a Civil Analyst with Kimley-Horn, in downtown Los Angeles working on development services and transportation projects across California. He has worked on projects through data collection, design, and construction documents. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona in 2021. Matthew is now involved locally with ASCE LA YMF, ASCE LA Branch and serves nationally on the ASCE Committee on Younger Members and ASCE Committee on Governing Documents with the Society-Level ASCE. In his free time, Matthew enjoys running, photography, camping, and music festivals.
ANDREA MOSQUEDA | SECRETARY
Andrea Mosqueda is a registered professional engineer in the state of California and is currently a Project Engineer with Ardurra. With over 5 years of experience, she has contributed to and led design efforts for numerous general civil, transportation, stormwater, and structural engineering projects in Southern California. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a Structural Emphasis from CSULB. In addition to her role with MLAB, Andrea serves as the Engineers Week and Scholarship Co-Chair for the Los Angeles Younger Member Forum (LA YMF). Andrea is a proud Rotarian, serving as the Youth Service Project Chair for the Rotary Club of Placentia.
NICOLE MI | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CHAIR
Nicole Mi is a currently a civil engineer for LA county Public Works, and founder of a freelancing platform startup in the civil engineering vertical. Nicole has combined 10 years of well-rounded experience in civil, transportation, and traffic engineering, from both the public and private sectors. Nicole holds dual licenses in California, as PE and TE. Academically, she graduated from UC-Irvine with both BS and MS in civil engineering. Recently, she graduated with her MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, Executive MBA program.
NIKKI ZULUETA | HIGH SCHOOL BRIDGE CONTEST CHAIR
Nikki Zulueta is a Civil Engineering Associate with the Bureau of Engineering. She received her Bachelor's from Cal State Northridge and Master's from UCLA in Civil Engineering. She has worked in geotechnical engineering and is now currently working in construction management. Her passions include volunteering with kids to teach them about engineering and staying active on her free time.
LINDA BOSWELL | HISTORY AND HERITAGE CO-CHAIR
Linda is a Project Manager within the Facilities, Infrastructure, and Development group at Psomas based in the DTLA and the Riverside office on mixed use and site development projects focusing on design and permitting. She has also worked on public works projects. Linda graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. A classmate of hers introduced her to ASCE and she's been hooked since, holding various LA YMF positions prior to joining MLAB. She also serves on the ASCE Los Angeles Section board as Treasurer. During her free time, she enjoys spontaneous weekend trips, exploring mountain roads, hiking, camping, volunteering, and experimenting with different recipes using her Instant Pot.
CHRIS SHEPPARD | HISTORY AND HERITAGE CO-CHAIR
Christopher Sheppard is a Senior Civil Engineer working in the Environmental Programs Division of Los Angeles County Public Works. He provides technical support, insight and direction for Solid Waste Management policies and programs for Los Angeles County. He received his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University as well as a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State Northridge. He enjoys hiking, camping and generally being outdoors as well as volunteering with activities for his two children.
METEHAN GUMUSTEKIN | MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Metehan is an experienced civil engineer with a demonstrated background in the field of water/wastewater, transportation, and project management/construction management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University. He is currently working as an Associate Civil Engineer at TKE Engineering, Inc. Prior to joining TKE, he was an Engineer I in the Municipal Infrastructure Group at AECOM. He was also employed in the Public Works division of the City of San Diego as an intern, and the Engineering Services Group of the Metropolitan Water District as a private consultant. He has developed leadership and organizational skills through active involvement in some of the recognized engineering organizations such as ASCE, APWA and Chi Epsilon. Outside of work, he is very interested learning, reading and researching about many different topics. Metehan loves to travel and meet new people. He is a registered Engineer-in-Training in the State of California, and he is currently working on obtaining his P.E License.
KEVIN WOODS | MENTORSHIP CHAIR
Kevin is an associate civil engineer managing flood control maintenance projects at the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works’ Operational Services Division. He also has a traffic and electrical maintenance and water background at the County, having worked on upgrading traffic signals, watershed management, and water utility design projects. He graduated from UC Irvine with both his Masters and Bachelors Degree of Civil Engineering. Besides ASCE, he enjoys working with his alma mater’s engineering alumni society, and enjoying going out whether it’s playing sports, socializing, or camping.
RUWANKA PURASINGHE | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CO-CHAIR
Ruwanka Purasinghe is a Civil Engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, where he currently works in the Project Management Office of the Water Engineering & Technical Services Division. Ruwanka is heavily involved with ASCE, serving as a former President of the Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch, former President of the LA Younger Member Forum, member on ASCE's National Committee on America's Infrastructure, and member of ASCE's National Engineering Practice Policy Committee. Outside of ASCE and work, Ruwanka founded and is CEO of a 501c3 non-profit he created called Kicks 4 Kids, and is a big brother mentor for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. For Ruwanka's efforts in the engineering and LA community, Ruwanka has been featured on NBC Learn and Time for Kids.
CLARIS PURASINGHE | YMF LIAISON
Claris is a Civil Engineering Associate in the Water System’s Project Management Office at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. She graduated from CSUN with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering. As a freshman in college, she first became involved with ASCE through the student competitions and has stayed active ever since! Claris is a major foodie and you can always catch her eating KBBQ or hot pot.